What & Where to Eat

What or where to eat in Kolkata is a question that arises in the minds of every tourist coming to visit Kolkata in India. Marked as the 'City of Joy', Kolkata (or Calcutta) is a melting point of many Indian cultures. To the foodie, Kolkata is a veritable haven of both local and international cuisines.

While Chinese, Italian, Thai and Continental cuisines can be found galore in restaurants of all shapes and sizes, grilled Australian cuisines have also become hot favorites and are found in few good hotels. Ranging from local cuisines and traditional delicacies to gastronomic foods, all are available in luxurious restaurants and as well as in the streets of Kolkata.

A glimpse at the Kolkata Food Guide

- Local cuisines like Luchi, Cholar Dal, Kochuri and Alurdom, rice and fish curry are the yummiest local cuisines of Kolkata. Available at Rs.15 per plate in road side hotels, they form regular meals for the office goers.

- Fish is a delicacy for the people of Kolkata. Macher Jhol and Chingri Mallai Curry are all time favorites.

- The sweetmeats of Bengal are popular with locals as well as foreigners. Rossogolla, Sandesh or Chanar Payesh (all made out of cottage cheese), Misti Doi (sweetened curd), patlali gur confectioneries (date palm jaggery) are known all over India. Langcha and Mihidana-sitabhog of Krishnanagar, Chanabora of Murshidabad contribute to the fame of sweetmeat delicacies of Kolkata.

- Kathi rolls, e.i kababs wrapped in dough, chops and cutlets, telebhaja are available in small stalls or shops strewn all over the city streets.

- Jhalmuri and Puchkas, mouthwatering light snacks are found in and around Maidan and the adjacent streets of New Market apart from every lane and by-lane in Kolkata.

- North Indian and south Indian foods are readily available at most fast-food eateries.

- Mughlai cuisines like Tandoori Kebabs, Biriyani, etc. are available in the back alleys of New Market and Park Circus.

- Restaurants offering international cuisines abound in Chowringhee and Park Street.

- As for confectionaries, Flury's (formerly Swiss owned), Nahoum's(oldest Jew Bakery), Upper Crust, Monginis, Kathleen are a few well known places.

- Original vegetarian and non-vegetarian grilled Australian cuisines can be found in Hotel Taj Bengal, 34 B Belvedre Road, Kolkata.

- Chinese Cuisines in Kolkata is very popular. Tangra or Chinatown happens to be a place where one can find authentic Chinese Cuisine. The place is inhabited by Chinese who take great pains to produce the raw materials required for Chinese sauces and noodles in their own backyard.